Pump pause before starting

[jennanne72]

The other day I noticed my my pump had a slight delay in starting when tuning it on. I didn’t think much of it until the next morning I went to turn it on and it wouldn’t start (we’ve had a terrible May and it was VERY cold around 28 degrees). I checked the breaker, everything was good, no trips. I went back to the pump and opened the lid, turned the impeller (it was fine) closed it back up, tried again and it turned on right away. I chalked it up to the cold weather and went to work. Yesterday it worked fine, no issues and this morning I turned it on and there was about a 2-3 second delay before it started. I flipped it off, turned the impeller again and started it... still the 2-3 second delay. It doesn’t hum, just completely silent during the delay. The only issues I’ve been having is the water level in the pump dropping overnight when it’s off. The drain plug on the front is leaking and I was going to put a new one in this weekend (I posted a pic). Other than that it’s perfectly fine, pressure good, pool sparkling clean, pump sounds perfect when it’s running. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Inground 18X36 oval, vinyl liner (approximately 29 years old)
Pump is Hayward Super Pump (not sure how old housing is, was there when we moved in in 2008). We replaced the motor about 6-7 years ago.
Buffalo, NY

 

[Texas Splash]

Well, I can help but wonder if it's a capacitor showing some signs of aging or perhaps being impacted by the colder weather for some reason. Can you post a pic of the manufacture ID label that's on the motor itself? Maybe one of our pump experts like @JamesW will have a thought. Thanks for posting.

 

[scottts]

If its humming or buzzing during the delay its probably the run capacitor.

 

[JamesW]

Check the capacitor. Note that it's a start capacitor and not a run capacitor.

With the power off at the breaker, remove the pump basket and reach in the hole to feel the impeller to see if it's clogged and to see if it turns easily.

It might also be a bad start switch. If the impeller is moving freely and the capacitor is good, check the start switch for corrosion.

 

[jennanne72]

Thank you for your responses! It finally died altogether and the outlet was dead. It was actually loose wiring behind the outlet.

 

[Texas Splash]

It was actually loose wiring behind the outlet.

That's scary. I had that happen with my A/C disconnect outside. Fried the entire box. Hope you get everything going again.